Cestrum sendtenerianum Mart. ex. Sendt. (Solanaceae) experimental intoxication in cattle

Abstract

Fresh or dry leaves and buds of Cestrum sendtenerianum Mart. ex Sendt. were administered to ten crossbred Holstein-Zebu cattle approximately 18 months old and weighting from 130 to 170 kg, with the objective of comparing its toxicity to that of C. laevigatum Schlecht. Eight animals were fed with 12.5 x 4, 25.0 x 2 or 50.0 x 1 g/kg liveweight of leaves and buds. Clinical signs appeared 24 hours later: apathy, drowsiness, rough coat, dry nostrils, teeth grinding and fast emaciation. The following digestive disorders were observed: appetite loss, rumenstasis, rumen movement decrease, and mainly the presence of intense, aqueous and stinky diarrhea, in seven of the eight animals. The utilization of 5 g/kg liveweight in two animals, for ten consecutive days, caused only a decrease on appetite, fast emaciation and feces softerting. At necropsy, hydropericardium and hydroperitoneum were observed. in all cases. The heart of two animals had petechial or suffused subepicardial hemorrhages. Histopathological examinations revealed discrete lesions in liver, gall-bladder, hart and kid-neys, indicating a lack of direct toxic effect of the plant.